One
of America's most notable television and radio news anchormen and commentators,
George Putnam, has died. He was 94 years young, and everyone who knew
him understands that, in George's case, 94 years of age really was young.

Mr.
Putnam began his celebrated career on a Minneapolis radio station in
1934. He was the winner of three Emmy awards and, at one time, was the
highest-rated and highest-paid TV news anchor in Los Angeles. He was
also the recipient of six California Associated Press Television and
Radio Association awards and more than 300 other honors and citations.
It is said that George Putnam was the inspiration for the newscaster
character, Ted Baxter, on the old Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Putnam
detested labels but often called himself a "conservative Democrat."
Having lived through the Great Depression, he spoke admiringly of President
Franklin Roosevelt. He would also have to be called a Reagan Democrat,
as he was never in want for a word of praise for his longtime friend,
"Ronnie" Reagan. George was also a longtime member of the
NAACP and the Urban League.

Many
people with George Putnam's background would certainly find little in
common with a "Christian conservative" such as me. I suppose
because George Putnam was an independent thinker, however, he often
asked me to be a guest on his radio show. This would usually take place
after he had read one of my columns. By the time I would make it to
the air, George was already "worked up."

"What
the h--- are these people in Washington, D.C., doing to us, Chuck?"
Mr. Putnam would ask. And then, for the next 30 minutes or hour, he
and I would discuss current events.

For
some reason, George liked me; and I know for sure that I liked him.

I
have been interviewed by scores (perhaps hundreds) of journalists, reporters,
newsmen, radio talk show hosts, etc., but nobody encouraged and energized
me like George Putnam. I always considered a request by George Putnam
for an interview to be the high-water mark of my interview schedule.
In short, nobody did it better than George Putnam.

George
Putnam was the real deal. He did not like phonies; and he hated the
charade and chicanery that is currently going on in Washington, D.C.,
maybe even more than I do (and that is saying something).

As
Mr. Putnam's health deteriorated, it was his co-host, producer, and
announcer, Chuck Wilder, who would interview me. And let me add, Chuck
Wilder is a terrific interviewer, as well. My most recent interview
with Wilder was shortly before Mr. Putnam passed away. I remember telling
Chuck, "Please tell George that I am praying for him." I hope
he relayed my message.

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I
never knew Mr. Putnam on a personal level. I only knew him through his
radio show and the interviews that he conducted with me. But that was
enough. George Putnam was an American original. He commanded a booming
voice and sharp wit. And he used both with great precision. It is doubtful
that I will have the opportunity to be interviewed by someone of his
caliber again. I will miss that.

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Chuck
Baldwin is Founder-Pastor of Crossroads Baptist Church
in Pensacola, Florida. In 1985 the church was recognized by President
Ronald Reagan for its unusual growth and influence.

Dr. Baldwin is the host of a lively, hard-hitting
syndicated radio talk show on the Genesis Communications Network called,
"Chuck Baldwin Live" This is a daily, one hour long call-in show in which
Dr. Baldwin addresses current event topics from a conservative Christian
point of view. Pastor Baldwin writes weekly articles on the internet http://www.ChuckBaldwinLive.com
and newspapers.

To learn more about his radio talk show please
visit his web site at: www.chuckbaldwinlive.com.
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